If you are looking for a great book for your preteen or older, I recommend that you grab this book as soon as you can. It is adventurous and filled with a story that keeps you engaged till the end. The author can really hold an audience with her words that make you feel part of the story. I loved the description of the forest and the area in Africa. I felt like I was right there as the rain poured so hard you could barely hear yourself breathe.

The main character of the book is thirteen year old Kusiima. He is determined and I loved his devotion to his grandmother and sister. He has had a hard life since his mother passed away. With his baby sister so ill, he tries so hard to find work and buy medicine for her. My heart ached for his sister barely clinging to life. The poverty in the area he lived with his grandmother was so hard to grasp. I wanted to take Kusiima and his family to a safe place so they could eat and get warm.

Kusiima gets involved with something that he finds out is dangerous while trusting his boss. Oh that made me so mad to see those men not care for his safety and to not worry when they couldn’t find him. Kusiima has a strength in him that kicks in when he realizes he is on his own while lost in the forest. The story is riveting at times and I loved the animals he came in contact with. Will God help Kusiima find his way home? Don’t miss this adventure that reminds us that God is always there. I especially liked the illustrations throughout the book. It was a nice addition to help visualize the story.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion. ( )

I first became acquainted with J. A. Myhre’s writing when I read the first book in the Rwendigo Tales, A Chameleon, A Boy, And A Quest. I loved, loved, loved that book and gave it a highly recommended rating. So of course I jumped on the chance to review the third book in the series, A Forest, A Flood, And An Unlikely Star. This book takes place in the same fictional area of Africa and involves another child in an adventure. But this book has a decidedly darker atmosphere. It is billed as a novel for children in grades 3-7, and I would agree that is the reading level. But due to some of the harder topics explored, I would suggest parents preview the book for younger children. It is an intriguing and riveting read, and I rate it highly recommended.

Kamiisa is a thirteen year old boy whose world has undergone upheaval in the past year. His mother has died, his baby sister is seriously ill, and he lives a day-to-day existence working for pennies to support his family. His grandmother loves him, but she struggles with providing the basics of shelter and food. It is a bleak existence for a boy who loves to read and learn. Because of his circumstances, Kamiisa has learned to nurture hatred in his heart — especially hatred for his absent father. God seems far off and uninterested or uncaring of what befalls him. But a couple of unlikely characters, a baby gorilla and a donkey, bring a spark of hope to his life.

Myhre is a doctor and missionary in East Africa. She first told her stories to her 4 children. I am glad that she wrote her stories down and developed them to share with other children — children who know nothing about the hardships of poverty, disease, political strife, and the struggle to survive one day at a time. Although A Forest, A Flood, And An Unlikely Star takes place is a fictional African nation, the book reflects the realities of living in Africa. Kamiisa is an endearing character. As the story progresses, his emotional and spiritual growth progresses. What was a life of despair becomes a life of hope and promise. The spiritual thread that is developed is subtle but strong, and is a great starting point for discussions about God’s care and provision. Tough issues are explored in a matter-of-fact way — showing that for the people of Africa they are a way of life.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to families with elementary and middle school-aged children, but as stated above, I would suggest that parents check it out first. Parents know what their kids are ready for.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 9+ and adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and New Growth Publishers for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )